New Exhaust Manifold surface prep? 4.3 Mercruiser

[Tmakaro]

I just purchased new exhaust manifolds and risers for my 2010 Bayliner 192 with a 4.3L Mercruiser.
The manifolds are painted where the exhaust gasket goes and some of the paint has chipped off. Do I need to chip off the rest of the paint?

 

[ESGWheel]

Lots of different opinions out there. I ended up cleaning up the paint on mine, see this thread > link

 

[IslandExplorer]

Ford used to run iron to iron with no gasket on some engines exhaust manifolds believe it or not. Iron under pressure can be a great sealing surface that won't burn away when smoking hot unlike paint. I'd take that paint off with a flat file. My exhaust manifold directions actually rec to do this before install to be sure mating surfaces are totally free of any raised burrs from banging around or whatever. So I think you're totally safe removing it, just don't go overboard with an angle grinder to 'save time' and accidentally scar up your nice new machined surfaces under there.

 

[cyclops222]

I have 12" long file that is just for removing paint. I rub chalk into the clean file teeth FIRST then use the file to remove paint I also have a File Cleaning Card to clean the file teeth as needed.

 

[Scott Danforth]

if the surface is flat, bolt it up with a new gasket and go

if the surface isn't flat, then address that first.

 

[Tmakaro]

The paint chipped off easier than I thought. I did use a bit of paint thinner to loosen it up.

 

[Jmunk]

Barr recommends to remove the paint on the gasket sealing surface.